A method and system for delivering program timing, structure, and identity information in media streams. Cues are utilized to indicate an event (e.g., a start or stop time of a program or program segment) whose precise timing is important to receivers. A server-side cue handling mechanism is provided for selectively generating cues based on configuration information and detected events. A client-side cue handling mechanism is provided for detecting cues and providing the cues to applications that can utilize the cues to perform a useful function or task.